1.) You just signed a 3 album deal Epitaph Records, a label which primarily is known for its punk rock artists such as Bad Religion and Pennywise. How do you think your style of hip hop will go over with the punk rock crowd?

"Obviously the whole punk world is not going to accept me with open arms, but there is a huge punk contingent who pride themselves on being intelligent, open minded and progressive individuals. These are the people I am targeting. Punk rockers have been attending my shows and supporting my music for years now. They've been sharing their ideas with me, and they've taught me things. I'm grateful for their scene and their music. It can work out just fine. But if the fact that my message is delivered through rap determines whether someone can enjoy me or not, good riddance. I can and will be selective with the people I include in my life, fans included.

2.) Your latest solo album, Personal Journals, includes a lot of sincere liner notes about your relationships with your family, particularly your mother. How did she respond to your signing with Epitaph?

"My mother is quite oblivious to the whole politics or business of the music world, as you might expect. I let her know that all the work I have been putting into my music is finally paying off. She is very happy for me and proud of my accomplishments. The conversation was literally one minute long. I'd rather talk to her about sailboats than my music career."

3.) There's been rumors of the highly anticipated Non Prophets album dropping in the late fall. What can we expect from this release and when will it officially be available?

"HOPE is going to create some ripples in the hiphop world. We picked up where 1994 fell off. It is funny and smart. The beats are nasty, the choruses are catchy, and it ALL hits hard. Joe Beats did a phenomenal job in carrying a whole album with top notch production, and his props are long overdue. Our first single, Bounce, dropped in 1999. This is the logical follow up to that single. It is going to be released in October."

4.)The Non Prophets website's opening page says "natalie portman has a stalker". Do you have a thing for Natalie Portman? When did this begin?

"No way. It is supposed to say "Natalie Portman IS a stalker." Someone hacked the damn site. That girl hasn't stopped bugging me since the Professional."

5.) You're a real vegetarian, no chicken not even fish. What made you decide to be a vegetarian? Have you ever tried meat?

"I was raised on meat, like everyone else. It isn't a choice most of us have. By the time we have the freedom to CHOOSE what to eat, meat is such a huge part of our eating habits that we don't even question it. Just like we don't question the fabric on our back; where it comes from, how it got made, why it is expensive/cheap. Seven years ago I made a decision not to eat meat anymore, and I will not turn back. My mentality switched. Meat repulses me. These animals have eyes, mouths, hearts, feelings. That shit really gets to me. They are mass produced on factory farms so that we can buy a piece of their flesh for 50 cents at McDonalds. People are waking up."

7.) You were just touring in Europe. How was Europe, what was the crowd response like there, and who did you do shows with?

"Europe is responsive. Attentive. Appreciative. They don't often get to see their favorite artists perform live, and it's an absolute pleasure to put on a show for them. I performed with Sole, Dose, Jel and Dax. We slept in clubs, on floors, and once in a squat. Fuck all that. When I go back to Europe I demand a pillow."

8.) You've made reference in past interviews that 2001 is your death date, and everything after then is icing on the cake. You wrote a song about faking your death and have t shirts with an epitaph across the back. What's behind this?

"I have no fucking clue. There was no plan."

9.) The song "masturbate your brain", you have the line "I just might pull a Kurt Cobain". Since Cobain's supposed suicide in 1994, there's been private investigators who suspect there was some foul play involved and Cobain did not actually commit suicide. Any comment?

"Well...he did say that he didn't have a gun. All of a sudden...he has a gun. And Courtney is the modern day Yoko. But his suicide seemed to make sense, as sad as that is to say. I hope he is resting well."

10.) You did a song with Eyedea called "Embarrassed", in which you reflect on your embarrassment of things you've done in the past. What's your biggest regret?

"Shit, man. I regret not kicking it to the girl sitting in front of me during my 10th grade English class. I regret involving myself in bullshit friendships during that same time period. I regret paying so much for college. I regret not learning a musical instrument any sooner."

"That line is blasphemous. Hahaa. Really. I studied from 4th grade until my second year in college. I became an instructor. I competed and spent most of my free time training. I had aspirations of being a kick boxer. A decision was made to move away from that life and develop in other areas. That's when I got into spoken word and focused on my music career. It's almost like I traded one discipline for another. No regrets."

13.) Do you have any phobias?

"If I did, I certainly wouldn't publicize them."

14.) You live a straight edge lifestyle. Were you ever into straight edge hardcore music like Gorilla Biscuits, Minor Threat, or Earth Crisis?

"Ha. Yes, I was. Not big into it, but I know their songs. My friends were huge into those bands. I don't use the term straight edge and I hope that description of me dies out like Eminem references. By the way, thank you for not mentioning him."

15.) Do you own any albums by the Fugees?

"No, although the Score is nice to listen to."

16.) What's happening with AOI? Any new stuff in the works?

"That is a completely abandoned project. A couple of the members went on to owning a million dollar business, another is married with two kids while going for his masters degree in English, and the drummer plays in a Sublime cover band. I am currently wooing the drummer, trying to get him into a new band project I am working on. Scott...I woo you."

17.) What's the all time, best party you've been to?

"I fucking HATE parties. Sorry. I don't care who is at them. I was just at a party with ALL my favorite people. My best friends. I hated it. There is such a strong expectation for socialization at gatherings like that, and it turns into an anxiety without fail. The best party I have been to? I am at a loss for an answer."

18.) You've said in past interviews that you'd like to write scripts and books. What kind of stuff would you want to write about? Do you have any favorite authors?

"I don't purport to be any sort of novelist. All I want to do is compile my thoughts and ideas in written form, similar to my Sick of Waiting series. I can make sense of things and relate them to one another in a unique way. I have some good ideas that I am waiting to implement in a book. I may need an editor to help me look wicked smart."

Last edited by Sage Francis on Wed Jul 30, 2003 10:06 pm; edited 1 time in total

Tue Jul 29, 2003 6:54 am

Justin Time

Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Posts: 42

Re: interview 7/29/03

Sage Francis wrote: Interview conducted by Chris
4.)The Non Prophets website's opening page says "natalie portman has a stalker". Do you have a thing for Natalie Portman? When did this begin?

"No way. It is supposed to say "Natalie Portman IS a stalker." Someone hacked the damn site. That girl hasn't stopped bugging me since the Professional."

HAHA...nice cover up sage

Tue Jul 29, 2003 12:29 pm

Jesus Frank

Joined: 12 Jul 2002
Posts: 2318
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Re: interview 7/29/03

Sage Francis wrote: Thank you. This was a good interview.

Tue Jul 29, 2003 1:09 pm

Schilluh

Joined: 29 Jul 2003
Posts: 20
Location: Grass Valley, CA

new here

Hey this is my first time at this website, I called in sick to work today because i didnt wanna go to work...I figured theres gotta be something on this damn internet about sage, low and behold there's this awesome website with tons of stuff I need to know. Ive only been listening to Sage Francis for about 6 months or so but Im hooked on his crazy lyrics and how he can tell a story so well. Im also a musician, I like to play whatever type of instument I can get my paws on, Especially if its banging a pencil onto a pad of paper (and I dont mean drumming). I live in a small town in northern california called Grass Valley. I have a lot of friends who play music also, and I hope one day to spend enough time on something to actually make it sound good. I travel out of this small town all the time to skateboard and visit my girl and mostly to see things Ive never seen before. Im looking forward to meetin some of the members here and seeing what some of sage's other fans are like, and if im lucky maybe even Sage himself. Anyway Blah blah blah See ya

Tue Jul 29, 2003 1:22 pm

Buddy Peace

Joined: 21 Jul 2002
Posts: 1651

Hello Schilluh. That was a nice post. Welcome.

And next time you visit big bad Europe Sage, I shall try to provide you and whoever is accompanying you with ample sleeping bags and pillows to make your stay that bit more pleasurable. I will not stand for unpleasant sleeping conditions. Never.

That was a quality interview by the way.

Tue Jul 29, 2003 3:17 pm

maxamillion

Joined: 05 Sep 2002
Posts: 1040
Location: The Netherlands

Re: interview 7/29/03

Jesus Frank wrote:

Sage Francis wrote: Thank you. This was a good interview.

Haha That immediatly caught my eye too!!!

I believe that is the first time he said something like that after an interview.

Wed Jul 30, 2003 2:26 am

FuseONE

Joined: 11 Jul 2002
Posts: 1715
Location: Newark, DE

.

Sage wanted to be a kickboxer?

Wed Jul 30, 2003 9:04 am

maxamillion

Joined: 05 Sep 2002
Posts: 1040
Location: The Netherlands

Never seen the picture of him when he was younger, holding a trophy???

Real cool. Should be his next cover for the stricktly buisness album if you ask me...

Thu Jul 31, 2003 2:10 am

the Wiper

Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 523
Location: Kent State University

Re: interview 7/29/03

maxamillion wrote:

Jesus Frank wrote:

Sage Francis wrote: Thank you. This was a good interview.

Haha That immediatly caught my eye too!!!

I believe that is the first time he said something like that after an interview.